Edgewater Residents Going To Polls Today

EDGEWATER — Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today for the primary election to narrow the field, or choose a winner, in the races for mayor and the Zone 4 city council seat.

Election officials said there are 5,815 registered voters but won't predict a turnout. About 35 percent of the voters participated in the last primary, in October 1984, city records show.

Volusia County election machines will be set up at the Edgewater Community Center, 102 N. Riverside Drive, for Precinct 24 and the Florida Shores Plaza, 1836 S. Ridgewood Ave., for Precinct 24 A.

Candidates for mayor are Vincent Paul Azzarello Jr., 36; Earl D. Baugh, 47; David C. Ledbetter, 62; Melbourne F. Wargo, 64; and Don Bennington, 42. Baugh is the incumbent. Ledbetter is a former mayor and Wargo is a former council member. Bennington is former chairman of the city's planning and zoning board while Azzarello is a newcomer to the political scene.

Incumbent Zone 4 council member James W. Inman Sr., 68, is being challeged by David Mitchum, 30; James E. Richardson, 68; and David Ronald Whalen, 26. Two years ago Inman narrowly defeated Richardson, 1,383 to 1,324. Mitchum and Whalen are political newcomers.

If any candidate gets a clear majority, he will be declared the winner. Otherwise, there will be a runoff Nov. 4.